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What Types of Linux Are There and How Do You Choose?

Linux is an open source operating system kernel. There are many types of operating system distributions based on this kernel. Different distributions are suitable for different usage scenarios and user needs. In this article, we will learn about several common Linux distributions and their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, as well as how to choose among so many versions.

Ubuntu

Features:

  • Sponsored and maintained by Canonical.
  • It has a large user community and rich documentation resources.
  • Long-term support versions (LTS) are provided, which are released every two years and provide five years of security updates.

advantage:

  • Easy to install and use, suitable for beginners.
  • The software repository is rich and the application is easy to install.
  • Community support is strong and resources for problem solving are plentiful.

shortcoming:

  • The default installed system may be bloated and not suitable for old hardware.
  • Might lack some customization options for advanced users compared to some distributions.

Selection suggestion:

  • Beginners and desktop users.
  • Users who need stability and long-term support.
  • Server users can also choose Ubuntu Server version.

Fedora

Features:

  • Sponsored by Red Hat and community maintained.
  • Focus on the introduction and rapid updating of new technologies.
  • The GNOME desktop environment is used by default.

advantage:

  • Contains the latest software and technologies, suitable for developers and technology enthusiasts.
  • The community is active and the documentation is complete.
  • A Silverblue version is available, suitable for containerized and immutable systems.

shortcoming:

  • Updates are frequent and there may be stability issues.
  • The support period is short, with each version supported for approximately one year.

Selection suggestion:

  • Users who like to try new technologies and software.
  • Developers and technology enthusiasts.
  • Users who need the latest tools and development environments.

Debian

Features:

  • Entirely community maintained, non-commercial.
  • Known for its stability, it has a rich software repository.
  • Three branches are provided: stable, testing and unstable.

advantage:

  • Extremely stable and suitable for servers and production environments.
  • The package management system (APT) is powerful and easy to use.
  • Community support and documentation are plentiful.

shortcoming:

  • The software updates slowly, so it is not suitable for users who need the latest software.
  • The installation and configuration process is relatively complicated and may not be suitable for beginners.

Selection suggestion:

  • A highly stable server environment is required.
  • Users with some basic knowledge of Linux.
  • Users who prefer manual configuration and high customization.

CentOS/Rocky Linux/AlmaLinux

Features:

  • CentOS was once the community version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), but has now moved to CentOS Stream.
  • Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux are alternatives to CentOS that provide free versions that are binary compatible with RHEL.

advantage:

  • Highly stable, suitable for enterprise-level applications and server environments.
  • Compatible with RHEL, with good support for enterprise-level software.
  • Community support and documentation are plentiful.

shortcoming:

  • Does not include the latest software and technologies like Fedora.
  • Configuration and administration may require a high level of technical skills.

Selection suggestion:

  • Enterprise-grade servers and production environments.
  • Users who need RHEL compatibility.
  • Users who want long-term support and stability.

Arch Linux

Features:

  • Use a rolling release model to always keep your systems and software up to date.
  • Emphasis on simplicity and user control, users need to manually configure the system.

advantage:

  • The latest software and technology.
  • Highly customizable, users have full control over the system's configuration.
  • The community wiki and the Arch User Repository (AUR) provide a wealth of resources.

shortcoming:

  • The installation and configuration process is complex and not suitable for beginners.
  • There may be stability issues due to rolling updates.

Selection suggestion:

  • Power users and technology enthusiasts.
  • Users who require the latest software and a high degree of customization.
  • Users who are not afraid of tinkering and are willing to learn and get started.

openSUSE

Features:

  • Two versions are available: Leap (stable version) and Tumbleweed (rolling update version).
  • Sponsored and maintained by SUSE, suitable for desktop and server use.

advantage:

  • The installation and configuration tool (YaST) is powerful and easy to use.
  • The Leap version is stable and suitable for production environments.
  • Tumbleweed offers the latest software and technology.

shortcoming:

  • The community is relatively small and the resources may not be as rich as Ubuntu and Fedora.
  • The default configuration may not meet the needs of all users and may require manual tuning.

Selection suggestion:

  • Users who need stability and long-term support (Leap).
  • Users who prefer rolling updates and the latest software (Tumbleweed).
  • Users who want a powerful configuration tool.

Summarize

In this article, we analyze several common Linux distributions and their advantages and disadvantages. You can refer to the above opinions on how to choose in actual production, but the final decision still needs to be made based on the actual situation of the company or team.